The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-12-15

keeping the price OF their products be-
low the highest limits allowed by such
duty. But it is notorious that this
competition is too often stranged by
combinations quite prevalent at this
time, and frequently called trusts,
which have for their object the regu-
lation of the supply and price Of COM
modities made and sold by members
Of the combination. The people can
hardly hope for any consideration in
the operation
! OF THESE SELFISH SCHEMES.
If, however, in the absence Of such
combination, healthy and free COM
petition reduces the price of any par
ticular dutlable yield of home produc-
ton, below the limit which it might
otherwise reach under our tariff laws,
and if, with such reduced price, its
manufacture continues to thrive, it il
entirely evident that one thing has
been discovered which should be care
fully scrutinized in ar effort to reduce
taxation. The necessity OF combine
tion to maintain the price of any com,
modify to the tariff point furnishes
proof that some one is willing to &C
cept lower prices for such commodity
and that such prices are emunerative
and lower prices produced by compe
tition prove the same thing. Thus
where either Of these conditions exist
a case would seem to be presented fol
an
EASY REDUCTION OF fAXA ION.
The considerations which have heen
presented touching our tarAflaws are
intended only to enforce an earnest rec
Ommendation that the surplus reve-
nues Of the Government be prevented
by the reduction of our customs duties
and mt the same time, to emphasize a
a suggestion that in accomplishing
thispurpose, we may discharge a doub-
le duty to our people by granting to
them a measure of relief from tariff
taxation in quarters where it is most
needed, and from sources where it can
he most fairly and Justly accorded
Nor can the presentation made of such
considerations be, with any degree o.
fairness, regarded as evidence of un'
triendliness to our manufacturing in
terests, or Of any lack of appreciation
Of their value and importance. These
interests constitute a leading and mos
substantial element OF our nationa
greatness, and furnish the proud proc
OF OUR COUNTRY's PROGRESS.
But, il in the emergency that press
rs upon US our manufacturers are ask
ed to surrender something for tn,
public good and to avert disaster
their patriotism, as well as a gratefu
recognition of advantages already at
forded, should lead them to willins
cooperation. No demand is mad,
that they shall forego all the benefits
of governmental regard, but they can
not fail to be admonished Of their dur,
as well as their enlightened self-inter
est and safety, when they are remin
ded Of the fact that financial pani,
and collapse, to which the present con
ditiOn tends, afford no greater shelte
or protection to our manufacturer
than to our other important enter
prises. Opportunity for safe, care
ful and deliberate reform is now offer
ed and none of us should be unmind
full Of time when an abused and irri
tated people, needless of those VIII,
have resisted timely and reasonable re
. lief. may insist upon q radical ant
sweeping
RECTIFICATIoN OF THEIR WRONGS
The difficulty attending wise AM
fair revision of our tariff laws is no
underestimated, 1t will require OF
the part of the Congress great labo
and care, and especially a broad ant
national contamination of the subject
and a patriotic disregard of such loca
and selfish claims as are unreason
able and reckless of the welfare of tn
entire country.
Under our present laws more thar
1000 articles are subjected to duty
Many Of these do nOtin anywas compet
with our own manufactures, AM
many are hardly worth attention a
subjects Of revenue. A considerabl
reduction can he made in the aggre
D gate, by adding them to the free list
The taxation OF luxuries presents n
| features of hardship; but the necessa
= ries of live used and consumed by vi
t the people, the duty upon which add
= to the cost Of living in every home,
SHOULD BE GREATLY CHEAPENED.
The radical reduction of the dutie
, imposed upon raw material used i
= manufactures, or its free importation
= is of course an important factor in an
effort to reduce the price of these ne
=, cessaries it would not only reliey
/ them from the increased cost cause
by the tariff on such material, but tn
q manufactured produce being thu
. cneappned, that part OF the tariff no
laid upon such product, as a comper
:. satiop 10 our manufactures for tn
= present price of raw material could
accordingly modified. Such redut
ton, or free importation, would serv
beside to largely reduce the revenu
It 1t is not apparent how such chang
: can have any injurious effect upo
:, our manufacturers. On the contrary
o it would appear to give them bette
e chance in foreign markets with maj
e nfacturers of other countries, VIII
u cheaper their wares by free materia
e Thus, our people might have the o.
/ portunity
l. OF EXTENDING THEIR SALES
r beyond the limits of home con sum-
/, ton saving them from the depre
II sion, interruption in business and lo
u caused by glutted domestic marke
u and affnrding their employees mo-
; certain and steady labor, with its r
/, sulting quiet and contentment.
d The question thus imperative
a